In fact, Sports Illustrated thinks so much of him and the Nationals in 2013 that he's getting some extra-special attention.

Harper, who won the 2012 National League Rookie of the Year award, is on this week's cover of Sports Illustrated. Standing on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial with the Washington Monument as his backdrop, the cover poses a question baseball fans want to know - what will Harper, 20, do for an encore?

Harper has a lot to build on in Washington beyond his 22 home runs, 58 RBI and 18 stolen bases in 2012. The youthful Nationals, last year's National League East champions, are looked at by many as an odds-on favorite to get to the World Series this year.

The Nationals held their first full-squad workout of Spring Training this past weekend. They open their spring schedule on Feb. 23 in Port St. Lucie, Fla. against the New York Mets.

Opening Day at Nationals Park is set for April 1, when Washington hosts the Miami Marlins.